An AmericanSF writer who lived most of his life in California. He sold his first story in 1951 and from the mid-50s to the 70s was a prolific writer who stories frequently had paranoid themes. Since his death his reputation has increased to the point where he is regarded by many was one of the greats of the field. Many of his stories have been made into successful movies.

The Philip K. Dick Award was set up to honor the best original paperback novel, since so much of Dick's work came out first in paperback.